OAP to take on marathon swim in aid of cancer charity

A retired East Dunbartonshire nurse is aiming to swim the length of one of Scotland’s most famous lochs to help in the fight against cancer.

Sandy Bern (74) reckons he will be one of the oldest people to tackle Loch Lomond. At 24 miles long, it is the largest inland stretch of water in Great Britain.The past member of the British Long distance Swimming Association prepared for his big challenge by swimming 640 lengths of the pool at Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre on Friday. This is equivalent to 10 miles.

He is raising money for the Marie Curie hospice at Huntershill and plans to swim Loch Lomond in September.

Sandy, who was a nurse for 26 years, told the Herald: “After I retired from nursing I worked for an agency and did many shifts with Marie Curie. The work they do is exceptional. The palliative care they provide is next to none.

“I am hoping for as much support as possible. Marie Curie definitely deserves it. “

This will not be Sandy’s first open water challenge. He completed the 10.5km Loch Earn challenge in the Highlands some years ago and an eight-mile tidal swim in the River Tay Estuary. But Loch Lomond will be his greatest challengeto date.

Mark O’Neill at Marie Curie said: “Sandy Bern is some character. We hope many people will support him.”